rush accepts money

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops College News

UCLA's JaRon Rush Admits To Taking
Money From Agent--(Jan. 14, 2000)

The Orange County Register, the AP, and just about any media outlet which follows college basketball had this story on Wednesday, but since we don't really want to write much about Steve Lavin and the rest of the Bruins (why kick someone when they're that far down. . . ok, it's just four regular season games. . . but what a season. . . ugh), so it's not really news, but since we've been covering it on and off, we thought everyone would be interested, just in case you live in a cave and and haven't heard this one yet. . . .

UCLA sophomore forward JaRon Rush acknowledged Tuesday at a press conference (reported on Wednesday) that he knowingly violated NCAA rules when he accepted cash from a Los Angeles agent and his former summer league coach, and he hopes his "big mistake" will not cost him his college career. Rush told reporters from the LA Times and the Orange County Register, "I was a stupid kid doing stupid things, and I made a mistake. I was a little greedy for the money. I'm not from a real rich family, so when times got hard, I tried to take advantage."]

It was the first public comment by Rush since his suspension on December 10. Rush continues on indefinite suspension from the Bruin team and it's looking more and more like he will not return this season. UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis told reporters Tuesday that he has concluded the interviews in the university's investigation and plans to forward his findings to the NCAA on Friday.

The OC Register speculated this morning that "It will probably take two weeks for the NCAA to review the case and make a decision on Rush's punishment — the number of games he will sit out and/or a fine he will pay. An appeal made by UCLA on Rush's behalf could follow, delaying a second ruling until mid-February." If that timetable is accurate, it's doubtful that Rush would return in time to really help the Bruins.

According to published reports, Rush admitted his violations to Dalis, who then interviewed Myron Piggie, Rush's summer league coach in Kansas City, Mo., and Jerome Stanley, a Los Angeles sports agent. Stanley has denied giving any money to Rush, but Rush admits taking it. The amount is not large, but that will not lessen the timetable that it will take to conclude the investigation or obtain the NCAA ruling. Rush admitted to receiving a total of $200, in four payments of $50 each.

The Register also had the following: "It's been very frustrating because I know that they (the Bruins) could have needed me out there, and I could have brought some energy to the floor," Rush said. And when Rush asked a teammate to borrow money, the teammate responded, "Why don't you ask the agent?" Rush, just happy to be with his friends, laughed for a few moments as he patiently waits to learn of his future."

Very funny. . . not.